Climate

Long-term climate records from the Arctic provide strong new evidence that human-caused global warming can override the Earth's natural heating and cooling cycles, U.S. researchers reported this week in the journal Science. For more than 2,000 years, a natural wobble in the Earth's axis has caused the Arctic region to move farther away from the sun during the region's summer, reducing the amount of solar radiation it receives. The Arctic is now 600,000 miles farther from the sun than it was in AD 1, and temperatures there should have fallen a little more than 1 degree Fahrenheit since then.

Re "A climate change of heart," Opinion, March 14 Man-made global warming is a myth. It is only man's vanity that makes us believe that we can alter the Earth's climate. Natural forces (volcanoes, oceans, plants, animals) dwarf anything we do. When Mt. Pinatubo blew up in 1991, it spewed more chemicals and gases into the atmosphere than we ever will. Weather is always changing and unusual. The Earth has had many periods of warming and cooling. The sky is not falling. CHRIS KNOX Torrance

Being one of the simple folk, I am hanging on to my stocks, including Disney ["Bass Family Parts With Disney Stock," Sept. 21]. I don't want to add to the climate of economic fear that threatens all Americans. The Bass family has no such concerns for America. Maitland B. Alexander Thousand Oaks

The article neglected to mention an abuse the present workers' comp anti-fraud climate is fueling in Southern California. Unscrupulous employers feel empowered to threaten employees to retract their claims for legitimate on-the-job injuries. Employees who do not obey these demands may find themselves victimized by their employer. JANE NORLANDER Glendale

I am so tired of hearing about all these people, black and white, who have survived all these years. What about the divorce rate, the familial climate with the grandparents, strained relationship with sisters, brothers, co-workers? Everyone from Time to Essence has covered the positive side associated with these people. Show the ones without Ph.D. and MD behind their names. ALEXIS J. ELDER Los Angeles

Re "He's a Lon Chaney for Today," Dec. 28: Undoubtedly, suit performers and character artists are completely unheralded in today's celebrity-drenched climate. Like makeup artists and effects technicians, too often, these craftspeople remain tidily behind the scenes. Susan King's stories always give a voice to quieter talents. It's a refreshing break for those of us who are truly interested in the craft of cinema at every level. SCOTT ESSMAN Glendora

It was remarkable that a piece about the blacklist and its relation to the current Hollywood political climate devoted only one sentence to Ed Asner. Although one of Hollywood's most politically visible stars, Asner's activism went unmentioned, and stranger still, so did the price he paid for his activism--the cancellation of his CBS series, "Lou Grant," and a relatively brief but very real period of blacklisting. LINDA VALENTINO West Coast Director, FAIR (Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting)

Steve & Barry's, once a growing force in low-priced fashion retailing, said it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the latest merchant to succumb to a harsh consumer spending climate. The Port Washington, N.Y., chain operates 276 locations in 39 states and made a big splash with merchandising endorsements with actress Sarah Jessica Parker, NBA star Stephon Marbury and other celebrities.